On-site interviews may seem like a relic of a bygone era, but companies everywhere are starting to prioritize in-person meetings and having staff report to an office weekly. This re-emergence of in-person coworking and interactions make for a dynamic working environment many aren’t familiar with (especially if they’re used to video interviews).

This renewed sense of purpose for in-person interactions begins with the interview process, too. Companies are resistant to hiring someone via purely virtual interactions if they want them to come into an office. The interview process might be mostly video and phone, but chances are good that, if you’re close to an office for a prospective employer, you’ll be asked to attend an in-person interview at some point.

Job seekers often have a host of questions and concerns about on-site interviews. We spoke with several experts to help get answers.

Why are Companies Still Holding On-site Interviews in 2024?

This question gets right to the heart of the matter for job seekers: what is the point of an on-site interview if we have platforms like Zoom and Teams available to us?

“As someone who has spearheaded talent acquisition strategies across the tech industry, I can attest that bringing candidates on-site provides an unparalleled opportunity for in-depth assessment that simply can't be replicated through virtual means alone,” says Maria-Diandre Opre, Senior Insight Analyst at Penta Group. “At its core, the on-site interview allows employers to go far beyond just resumes and cover letters. Through face-to-face interaction, we gain valuable insights into a candidate's soft skills, communication abilities, problem-solving approach, and overall personality fit with the company culture. These intangible factors are critical in determining long-term success in a role, making the on-site a key data point.”

Gianluca Ferruggia, General Manager at DesignRush, adds: “In 2024, companies hold on-site interviews primarily to assess cultural fit and practical skills in a real-world context. They complement the insights gleaned from remote stages, promoting a holistic analysis of potential hires.”

Professional Résumé writer, Healther Rothbauer-Wanish, PhD, agrees it’s all about culture: “Companies hold on-site interviews to gauge the cultural fit of potential employees and to engage with job seekers by reviewing personality and non-verbal body language. An in-person interview is even more important when someone will be working on-site with other team members in the same office space or organization.”

Are On-site Interviews Different in 2024?

“While the essence of on-site interviews remains consistent with pre-pandemic practices, their timing has shifted towards the final stages of the hiring process in the post-pandemic era,” notes Henry Goldbeck, President of Goldbeck Recruiting. “Unlike before, initial interviews are typically conducted remotely providing convenience for both parties.”

Opre agrees: “On-site interviews have certainly evolved over the years to become more strategic and efficient. While first-round screening is often handled virtually these days, the top candidates will still progress to on-site interviews, usually among the final stages. Getting that coveted invitation signals you've made it past an initial hurdle and are being seriously considered.”

All of our experts believe that on-site interviews are mostly seen as an end-stage step in the interview process, but nothing has “changed” with in-person interviews. Companies still want to see how you may fit in, culturally and in-person, if that’s important to their culture and working environment. Fully remote roles likely won’t require in-person meetings, but don’t be shocked if an in-person meeting is required at some point in the interview process.

When Should You Expect an On-site Interview?

Most experts agree the in-person interview happens late in the process, but Ferruggia adds: “We're seeing a mix (post screening) depending on the role and company’s strategic approach to evaluating skills firsthand.” If there is a technical skill involved, you might be asked to show up in-person early on. This may also indicate the employer is eager to fill the role.

“A job seeker shouldn't expect an on-site interview as the first interview, adds Rothbauer-Wanish. “In fact, most companies will conduct a screening phone call interview just to see if the person has the appropriate skills and knowledge for the position. An on-site interview should be expected either as the second interview or third interview in a typical interview process.”

Are There Benefits for On-site Interviews?

Ferruggia notes that on-site interviews can be a two-way street: “On-site interviews offer deeper insights into a candidate's interpersonal skills, work ethic, and adaptability, which are crucial in team-oriented work environments. They also offer the candidate a glimpse of the company culture, workspace, and potential team.”

“For candidates, on-site interviews provide invaluable opportunities to gauge the company's culture firsthand, assess workplace dynamics, and determine their fit within the organization,” Goldbeck adds. “For employers, on-site interviews enable employers to observe candidates' non-verbal cues, interpersonal skills, and how well they integrate into the team. They serve as a litmus test for candidates' dedication and willingness to invest time and effort into the position, given the logistical efforts involved in attending on-site interviews.”

Rothbauer-Wanish advises you to be observant and interactive while on-site: “The benefit of an on-site interview is that a potential employee is able to see the culture firsthand, the interviewee can interact with future co-workers, and observe the interactions among team members. It's also nice to be able to tour a company and understand the type of organizational culture that is exhibited in-person--not just the one that is talked about.”

Do On-site Interviews Have Drawbacks?

“On-site interviews require considerable investment of time and resources from companies and candidates alike when factoring in travel, scheduling conflicts, and missed workdays,” notes Opre. “There's also the reality that interviewing in a curated setting may not fully capture how someone would actually perform in the daily grind of the role.”

“Logistically, [on-site interviews] are more demanding and time-consuming considering schedules, travel, and time both parties require to invest,” Ferruggia says. “For the job seeker, it could also induce additional stress as opposed to a familiar comfortable environment.”

Rothbauer-Wanish agrees: “While on-site interviews have benefits, they do take much more planning and more time for each party involved. In addition, depending upon the role, an interviewee may expect to be compensated for travel to the interview site. The costs involved can make an on-site interview prohibitive to some organizations and that can cause the hiring of someone who isn't fit for the role or isn't in good alignment with the organization.”

Conclusion

On-site interviews are intimidating, there’s no getting around it. You’re out of your element, and that’s uncomfortable.

Remember that you should go into on-site interviews prepared to demonstrate your technical and soft skills. It’s also a good idea to walk into the in-person meeting with a purpose: you should be deciding if this could be your element, too. If you want the job, it comes with the culture, and culture is just as important to you as it is for the company you’re trying to work for.